Cipher machine



E. H. HEBERN GIPHER MACHINE April 17, 1945.

7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 3, 1938 INVENTOR. By EDWARD H HEBERN ATTORNEY April 945. f E. H. HEBERN CIPHER MACHINE Filed Oct. s. 1958 7Sheets-Sheet 4 oonoaouaonoooonoc j INVENTO.

By E0 wnRo H. HEBERN ATTORNEY April 17, 1945. E. H.'HEBERN 2,373,890

CIPHER MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. EDWARDH-HEBERN ATTORNEY E. H. HE BERN' CIPHER MACHINE April 17, 1945.

Filed Oct. 3, 1938- 7 SheetsSheet 6 Patents r. W,

Edward iii. Hebern, Oakland, Calif., asslgnor to International CodeMachine Company,-Ben Nev., a corporation of Nevada Application October3, 193a, SeriaiNo. 232,995

6 Claims.

The invention relates to cryptographic machines of the characterdisclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,861,857, dated June 7, 1932,and more particularly concerns devices for increasing the complexity ofcoding with codechanging wheels such as those disclosed in said patent.

An object of the invention is to provide a codechanging wheel whichprovides the operative equivalent of twocomplete alphabets withoutincreasing the number of character circuits to and through the wheel.

Another object is to provide an electro-magnetic means for schematicallyadjusting the various code-changing wheels of a set thereof in a cipermachine.

A further object is to provide a means for secretly varying the schemeof adjustment of the codechanging wheels of a. set as a further means ofincreasing the diiliculty of deciphering a message which has been codedwith the machine.

Yet another object is to provide an improved means for actuating atypewriter for printing messages as they are coded or decoded with themachine.

An added object is to provide a means whereby different charactersrepresent spaces in a code message, yet may be automatically decoded asspaces in the decoded and printed message.

' The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, someof which, with the foregoing, will be set forth Or be apparent in thefollowing description of a typical embodiment thereof, and in thefollowing drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a cipher mamachine, certain members ofthe structure being removed and others broken away.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary and sectional view taken axially ofa clamping bar assembly shown in Figure 5. s

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation at l-l in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation at 8-8 in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section at 9-9 in Figure 5.

which the keys of the typewriter are arranged to be individuallyactuated by character circuits controlled 'by the coding machine, theconnector for the cipher machine being shown as engaged therewith.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the operative relation of akey-operating electromagnet to a. keybar of the typewriter of Figures 1and 2.

Figure-4 is a perspective view illustrating another possible relation ofa key-operating electromagnet to a keybar of the typewriter.

Figure is an enlarged plan view of the cipher Figure 10 is a,plansectional view taken at the broken line Ill-Ill in Figure 8 andgenerally be low the members shown in Figure 5.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation at ll-ll in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is' a plan'view of a unit for controlling the adjustment ofthe code wheels of the machine.

Figure 13 is an elevation at l3--l3 in Figure 12.

Fi ure 14 is an outer end view of the unit of Figure 12, 1

Figure 15 is an elevation at l5--l5 in Figure 12. v

Figure 16 is a sectional elevation at I6--l6 in Figure 12.

Figures 17 and 18 and 19 are fragmentary sectional elevations taken atdiflerent planes in Figure 12 to show successive switch assemblies.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a unitary rotary assembly of Figures5 and 12 and 13.

Figures 21 and 22 are perspective views of a code-changing wheel viewedfrom opposite sides thereof.

Figures 23 and 24 are opposite end face views of the code wheel ofFigure 21.

Figure 25 is a section atthe broken line 25-45 in Figure 23.

means and circuits shown in Figure 28, the switch elements being relatedas for decoding.

The present cipher machine is arranged for operation in response to theselective actuation of keys in the general manner of a typewriter tocode or decode a message and appropriately actuate a printing ortypewriting machine 3| which actuated from the machine 30. The mechanismof the latter machine is mounted on a frame which comprises abase-member 32 of rectangular outline enclosing and supportingcomplementary and transversely spaced side plates 33' and 34 which arerigidly connected by a plurality of spacer bars 35, certain of said barsbeing further nism as will be brought out. An array of three rows ofkeys for selective depression is provided at a keyboard portion of theframe forwardly of the front edges of the frame sides 33 and 34.

As shown in Figures 1 and 5,-the keys at the keyboard include twenty-sixcharacter keys 35 each representing a different letter of the Englishalphabet and also a numeral or punctuation mark or some other characterof a second set of characters. The keys 35' of the typewriter 3|correspond to the keys 35 of the unit 35, and the printing of one or theother of the two characters represented by a particular key 35 isdetermined by the position of a usual paper-carrying carriage (notshown) of the unit 3|; when the carriage isin a normal lowered positionthereof, the alphabet characters are printed, and the characters of theother set may be printed when the carriage is in the raised positiontherefor. As is usual, the

of more than one of the keys 35 and 45 at a time;

utilized in connection with the machine mechacarriage of the typewriter3| would be controlled by an escapement to release the carriage for itsmovement through the space of a. character after character has beenprinted.

A'suitable means (not shown) is provided in characters of the secondset,- and a key 31 is provided at the keyboard of the unit 35 foractuation to operate the carriage shifting key 31' of the typewriter 3|to ffect a raising of the carriage when desired. Said second set ofcharacters might, of course, be alphabet letters of anotherreal orimaginary language. A character-spacing key 45 is also provided at thekeyboard of the cipher machine 30, while a corresponding key 45' isprovided at the keyboard of the typewriter 3|.

By particular reference to Figures '7 and 8 and 10, it will be seen thatthe keys 35 and 31 and 40 are carried at the forward ends of andgenerally above keybars 38 which-pivotally engage a common shaft 39which is fixed to and between the frame sides 33 and 34 at the generallevel of the keys, and is parallel to the front line of the unit. Asshown, each keybar comprises a flat, strip of metal having an earportion ,38' extending radially downwardly-of its pivotal axis andhaving its extremity connected by a tension spring 42 with a frame bar35 which underlies the keybars 38, said spring being constantlyoperative to urge a raised positioning of the keybar to engage anoverlying frame bar 35 as a stop means for the keybar. v

In the present instance, eac keybar 38 has a rearward .extension 35"whic engages a slot 43 provided in a plate member 44 which is fixed inupright position to a frame bar 35 which underlies the extension. Theframe bar 35 which provides the anchorage for the springs 42 carries aslotted plate 45 similar to the, plate 44, with said bar operative as astop to limit'the downward swinging of the keybars. It will be notedthat the keybar-receiving slots of the plates 44 and 45 are evenly andsimilarly spaced along the plates, extend to the top plate edges, andfunction as a guiding and positioning means for the keybars in theirplaces.

Means are provided to prevent thedepression the unit 3| for raising itcarriage for printing bar 54. The other arm 58 of the lever 51 is arthatthe keybar 38 of only one of the keys 35 and 45 may be depressed throughtheir line at any time. The under edge of the keybar 33 for the shiftkey 31 is notched out or otherwise formed above the line of the balls 41wherebythe depressing of this keybar is permitted without engaging theballs beneath it; in this manner, the selective depression of theremaining keybars is permitted for effecting the printing of charactersof either set, since the depression of the keybar for the shift key 31does not spread the balls in their line. I

i A shaft 45 is ioumalled in and between the frame sides 33 and 34 inparallel relation to the keybar pivot shaft 39. Arms 43- and 50 extendforwardly from the shaft 43 in mutually coplanar relation, are rigidlyfixed to the shaft, and carry a straightbar 52 in and between theirfront extremities. The bar 52 is arranged in normally engage the underedges of all of the keybars 38 except that for the shift key 31 by theaction ofa tension spring 52' which is operative betweena forward pointof the arm 49 and an overlying frame bar 35. When a keybar for the keys3501" shaft 48 and efiect an upward swinging of an arm 53 which extendsgenerally horizontally from the shaft at the opposite side from theframe arms; in the present instance, the arm 53 comprises an integralextension of the arm 39.

A thrust bar 54 extends upwardly from a pivotal connection with ,the arm53, and its rear edge is stepped to provide an upwardly facing shoulder55 for normal positioning beneath the forward arm 55 of a lever 51 whichis pivoted to the frame end 33 and is substantially perpendicular to theranged for movement against a spring contact arm 50 of an electricswitch 5| to dispose the contact 52 of the arm 50 out of engagement witha fixed contact 53 of the switch assembly. The switch contacts 52 and 53are suitably insulated from each other and the frame and the lever arm58 for the connection of the switch 5| in an ungrounded circuit; asshown, the switch parts are mounted on a support of insulating materialwhich is fixed on the plate 33 and mounts terminals 52' and 53'connected with the contacts 52 and 53 respectively for their use inconnecting the switch 5| in a circuit.

A tension spring 54 is normally operative between-the lever arm 55 andan anchorage on the plate 33 to overcome the resilient, resistance ofthe switch arm 55 to open .the switch 5| and engage the arm 55 against astop pin 59 which underlies the outer arm end and extends from the plate33. When the shoulder 55 of the bar 54 is raised beneath the end of thelever arm 55 to sufllciently rock the lever 51, the spring arm 55 of theswitch BI is permitted to, engage its contact 52 with the contact 53-and so close the switch thereat. A tension spring 551s normallyoperative against the bar 54 to engage the rear faceof the bar below theshoulder 55 with the stop pin 53, the rear face portion of the bar 54asrasoo above the shoulder being held clear of the opadjustment of aplurality of code-changing wheels of the coding and decoding mechanismofthe unit 33 through the energizing and actua-' tion of anelectromagnet means which is arranged to effect the operations of pawlsagainst ratchet teeth of the wheels to reset one or more wheels afterthe temporarily closed circuit'there- I of has been opened.Since-holding down a character key would prevent a completion of the de-I sired action until the key is released, means are provided forautomatically opening the control circuit after the electromagnet meanshas been actuated and independently of the disposition of the actuatingkey, said means efiecting a rocking of a lever 51 pivoted on the plate33 to apply a depending lever arm 68 laterally against the upper end ofthe operative bar 54 to swing the latter wardly and fixedly from the hubBand has its free end connected to the free end of an upwardly extendingarm I2 of the lever 65 by means of a link 13 which is pivoted to botharms.v The hub 69 is provided with a depending arm 14 which is fixedthereto and has its free end linked to the armature 16' of anelectromagnet 16, said armature comprising a movable magnetic core forthe solenoid 15 of the electromagnet and being normally extended fromthe core bore in whichit is slidable for its axial movement within thebore when the coil 16" is energized. The coil 15" is connected in thesame circuit with the switch GI, and the rocking of the hub 69 which iscaused as the armature I5 is displaced by the energizing of the coil isarranged to operate through the link 13 to rock the lever '61 todisplace the arm 54 to free the lever 56 and so open the controllingcircuit at the switch 6| in the described manner and just as the inwardstroke of the armature is completed. It will be noted that the returnmovement of the arm lit permits the engagement of the rear face of thearm 54 below the shoulder 55 to en age the lowered extremity of thelever arm 56 until the bar is lowered to dispose the shoulder below saidarm. 'With the described arrangement, the continued operation of thecode wheel control in a cycle of operations thereof is independent ofthe disposal of a control key which was originally depressed to initiatethe cycle.

A unitary code wheel assembly I1 is mounted at and across an upperportion of the frame of the cipher machine 20. .As is particularlybrought out in the assembly showings of Figures 1 and 5, the assembly 11comprises end plates I8, brushments 80 are cylindrical in outline andare provided with axial boresfor receiving a shaft 83 for their mutuallyindependent rotative 'adjustments about the shaft, said shaft engagingcomplementary bores. provided in the various. plate members 18 and I9and 8! toprovide a fixed alignment of the various members of theassembly and providefor the rotation of the elements 80 in their places.The shaft 82 is mounted for its removal axially thereof from anunobstructed end of the assembly 11. v

The various plate members 18 and I9 and at all havecorrespondingportions thereof extending radially beyond the elements 80,and clamp assemblies. including spacer sleeves 84 of appropriate lengthsto properly space the plate members are engaged through said extendingplate portions for securing the plates in mutually' spaced relationwhile providing for the rotation of the elements 80 in their places. Asparticularly'shown, two lower assemblies 83 extend through and betweenthe frame plates 33. and 34 for mounting the code wheel unit ll ontheframe,

I and these assemblies also mount and clamp in place a unitary assembly86 for controlling systematic adjustments of the code wheels 80 in amanner to be hereinafter described. The assemblies 83 are so disposedthat the code wheels released by the removal of the shaft 82 may beremoved for reversing them in place and/ or varying their order in thecode wheel assembly, or.

replacing one or more of them with other wheels of different internalarrangement of conductors. By reference to Figures 1 and 5 to 8, it-willbe noted that each clamp assembly 83 includes a rod 83' having itsendsfixed to the extreme elements to be connected. As shown in Figure 1,the upper rod 83 has its extremities engaged in complementary socketsprovided in the plates 18 and secured in place by screws extendingaxially into the rod ends through the plates. Each of the lower rods 83'has its extremities seated in complementary sockets in the plates 33 and34, and is secured to the plates by screws extending through the platesinto threaded axial bores in the rod ends, the structure and relationsbeing shown in Figure 6. Collars 85 are adjustably fixed by setscrews85' on the lower rods 83 opposite the outer elements of the units 11 and86 to be fixedly mounted in place on the machine 30, and at least onecollar 85 threadedly carries a thrust ring 85" for movement against theopposed element and toward the other collar to clamp the assembly ofengaged and intervening elements in place; in this manner, the units 17and 85 are adjustably mounted and releasably fixed between the framesides, namely, the plates 33 and 3t.

It will now be noted that the present code setting. By particularreference to Figure 5 and carrying plates 19 engaging each of the endplates vI8, four similar code wheels 80 rotatably mountedbetween theplates and individually numbered Figures 21 to 26 inclusive it will beseen that 39" which is arranged to receive the pivotshalt 82 forrotation thereabout. The wheel as may be of metal, and the rings 81 arepreferably molded of an electrically non-conducting material havingcontacts 88 embedded therein during their molding to have their exposedfaces flush with the outer ring faces thereat.

The contacts 88 of each ring 81 are equally spaced in a circle which isconcentric with the axis of the shaft 82, are twenty-six in number, andare normally in simultaneous engagement with spring contact brushes 9Iwhich extend from the opposed faces of the plates 19 and BI. As shown,the brushes. 8i comprise spring arms extending radially outwardly fromsecured inner ends thereof and having their free ends arranged forsimultaneously engaging the opposed faces of the contacts 88 in theirline. Each contact 88 of a ring 81 of a code wheel 88 is connected bymeans of an insulated conductor 93 with a contact 88 of the other ring81 of the wheel structure, the ratchet wheel portion 89' between therings and the hub 89" being transversely perforated to permit this. Itwill be understood that the connections through the code wheels may bemade in a great number of different combinations whereby such differentcombinations in themselves comprise a code-varying device, as is broughtout in my said previous patent.

In the present code wheel structure, each contact 88 is elongated in itsline, and the two sets of contacts on each code wheel 88 are so relatedthat an axial line through the forward end portion of one contactextends through the rearward end portion of a contact at the other sideof the wheel, the line being one through mutually opposite contactpoints of the brushes 9I when the wheel is in a set position thereof. Inthis manner, when a brush 9I moves from one contact point of a givencontact 88 to the other contact point thereof, different connections areprovided through the wheel. Accordingly, the present code wheels 88 areeach provided with fifty-two ratchet teeth whereby one revolution of awheel is the coding equivalent of two revolutions of a code wheel havingcontacts which are engaged successively with a given brush. Besidesreducing the rotary movement which is required for a changed setting ofa code wheel, the present arrangement markedly increases theundecipherability of a, coded message in terms of the number of wheelsin the code wheel assembly, it being understood that such a, number maybe one or more in accordance with the use requirements of a particularsituation.

It will be noted by reference to Figure that corresponding brushes .9Iat opposite sides of each brush plate 8I are electrically connected by arivet or the like which secures the brushes in place. Also, securingbolts for the brushes of the plates 19 extend through these plates toindividual terminal plates 94 for connection in different charactercircuits which are to control the actuation of the typewriter 3|.Preferably, and as shown, each end plate 18 of the code wheel assemblyis hollowed out at the face thereof which opposes the adjacent brushplate 19 whereby to provide a space for the wire connections to and fromthe terminals 94.

The described connections within the code wheel assembly 11- areunderstood to provide twenty-six closed electrical paths therethrough,

said paths being varied each time one or more code wheels 88, isrotatively adjusted through the angle of adjacent ratchet teeth thereof.For'reference, the connectors 94 may be lettered in terms of theirconnections with sending keys and the keys of a printing machine; forexample, the connector A of the left-side plate 18 might be connectedwith the A circuit of the cipher machine 38, while the connector Q ofthe right-side plate 19 might be connected with the Q circuit of thetypewriting or printing machine 3|; t Should it happen that said A and.Q connectors are joined through the code wheel assembly 11, thecharacter Q would be printed for A when the A key 38 is struck, thisbeing assumed in the diagram of-Figure 28. If now, the connectionsprovided at the connectors 94 are reversed with respect to the twomachines, the striking of the letter Q at the cipher machine keyboardwill print the letter A which was originally coded to the letter Q; itwill thus be understood that the provision and use of a set of reversingswitches and the setting of the code wheels is all that is needed foreffecting coding and decoding of the same message with the presentequipment, it being noted cipher machines.

that the peripheries of the code wheels 88 carry the letters of thealphabet opposite alternate ratchet teeth for use as indicators insetting the wheels at the start of coding or decoding a message withrespect to a reference mark 95 which is provided across the fronts ofthe fixed plates 18 and 19 and i9 of the code wheel assembly 11.

It will now be noted that the depression of a particular character key36 to rock its keybar 88 for effecting the closing of the switch 8| isarranged to simultaneously close a normally open circuit through thecode wheel assembly 11 for that character only. As shown in Figures 8and 10 and 28, a projection 98 extends upwardly from each keybar 38 tonormally engage a spring switch arm 91 to hold the same out of contactwith a fixed and elongated conductor element 98 which underlies thespring arms 91 for all of the keybars and is connected by a conductor 99with a terminal I88 of an electric power source E such as an electricbattery, the other power terminal being designated by the numeral IN.The arms 91 for the keys 36 and the common contact 98 are understood toprovide a. multiple switch for controlling parallel branch circuits forthe different characters, and these elements are shown as mounted on abase which comprises a bar of insulation material which is in turnmounted on the frame bar 35 which acts as the stop to limit the upwardswinging of the keybars,

The various switch arms 91 for the keys 88 are each connected byindependent conductors I83 with the input terminal I85 of a, reversingswitch I84 which provides connections for either coding or decoding agiven letter with the same or like Connected pairs of reversing contactsI86 and I81 of each switch I84 are respectively connected with terminals94 of the different end plates 19 of the code wheel assembly 11 by meansof conductors I88 and I89, and an output conductor III leads from theoutput terminal I I2 of each switch I84 to a connection with a differentkey-operating means for the printing machine 3 I. As is particularlyshown in Figures 5 and 8 and 9, the switch input and output terminalsI85 and II! respectively are provided at the under side of a platemember I18 which is fixedly supported on a pair of the frame bars 35which are disposed forwardly of the code wheel assembly 11. Theterminals I85 and H2 are respectively connected through the member II3with sets ofspring contacts H4 and II 5 which tend to extend upwardlyfrom the member, with the contacts of each set arranged intwo parallelto a substantially unlimited degree the particular rows of thirteen eachand equally spaced in their rows.

A plate member I l B is slidably supported above the fixed plate memberllt for its limited movement in a direction parallel to the rows ofspring contacts Ill and lid of the latter, said member being laterallyguided in its movement between an upper pair of the frame bars 35. Themember H8 carries contacts I06 and lfl'l equally spaced in rows thereofoverlying the lines of the spring contacts lid and lid respectively andthe member H8 is supportedon said contacts whereby either set ofalternate contacts we and ldl of each row may simultaneously engage thespring for connecting the conductors ltd and its with the contacts ltdand it? are provided at the up- .per side of the member lid, and eachsaid terminal is connected with contacts ltd and Bill in adjacent rowsthereof which are opposite the spring contacts lid and lit, thearrangement being such that the latter contacts engage the terminals ltdand ldl respectively when the member lid is in decoding positionthereof, as in Figures 5 and 8 and 9 and 10 and 29, and are connectedwith the terminals Bill and int respectively when the member i it is inits coding position as in Figure 28. A generally erect arm lid ispivoted on the wall 36 for its movement in an upright plane rallel tothe lines or the reversing switch contacts, and is connected with theopposed end of the member lit for its use in moving the member betweenlimiting positions determined by adjustable stop members lit mounted onthe plates t8 and 3d, whereby to respectively provide the switchconnections for coding and decoding with the present cipher unit.

A unitary casing member Bil having a front wall m2, side walls lit, aback wall tit, and a top wall lZh is mounted on the frame base 32 forgenerally enclosing the described mechanism. The top wall I25 the casinglil is disposed at a level below the rotary axis of the code wheelassembly and is slotted across its width in the line of said assembly topermit the protrusion Of the latter. A slot in the top casing well litreceives the setting arm lid of th described multiple reversing switchfor-its manual engagement to shift the member between its limitingpositions which are detered by its engagement with the members me. Apointer ltd extending upwardly V opposite ends of the member andselectively en-' gagedble with spring contacts lid and ltd respectivelymounted on the plates 3d and as the member is disposed for a coding ordecoding use of the machine. The single-pole switches til- I28 andltd-tit thus provided are respectively operative in circuits which causethe printing of i a character for a message space in the coded message,and cause the provision of a space for each code character whichrepresents a space in the original message when decoding is efiected,the specific control being hereinafter described.

Recalling that one or more of the wheels 80 are to be reset between theprinting of successive coded or decoded characters, and that mybeforementioned patent provided for an automatic and progressive settingof, a set of code wheels mechanically, and in an unchangeable order, animproved means. is provided for secretly varying order iii which thevarious code wheels are advanced as a message is coded or decoded. The

present means is electrical and essentially pro- 5 vides a control forindependently operative electromagnets l3l having armatures l3l' whichactuate dogging hooks or pawls teeth of the code I wheel ratchets st torotatively advance the same each time the solenoid ill!" of anelectromagnet ltl is operative to move its armature out of its normalposition.

By reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 8 and i0 and11, it will be noted that four electromagnets it: are mounted in aconimon plane below the diflerent code wheels and the level of the shaft68 with their axes parallel to the .planes of the code wheels. Thearmatures l3l' extend'rearwardly from the solenoids ldl" and aresuitably/guided for their rectilinear reciprocation in the solenoidbores. Brackets 532 mount the lectromagnets l3l in fixed position on apair 0 spacer bars 35. As illustrated, the structure and mounting of theelectromagnet E6 is the same as that of the electromagnets I8 I, theformer is mounted similarly in the same. plane and line with the latter,and the mutual spacing of the electromagnets in their line is uniform.

Links I33 connect each armature ltl' with the lower end of an arm ltdwhich depends from a m sleeve member E which is rockably mounted on ithe shaft 68, the sleeves being mutually independcut and disposed alongthe shaft to position the arms lid for action in the lines of thearmatures l ti. Arms l36 extend upwardly from the sleeves 35 M5 in fixedangular relation to the arms ltd, and

pivotally carry levers I31 having pawl arm portions extending forwardlyof their pivot points and terminating in pawls I39 which are arranged tonormally engage between teeth of the ratchets 89 of the various codewheels through the action of tension springs Ml which are operativebetween the rearward lever portions and radial ears M3 extendinggenerally rearwardly from the sleeves l35. A tension spring Mt extendsfortlt. wardly from each arm lit to a connection with the rear end of ananchor rod ltd which is slidably engaged through the frame bars 35 whichsupport the reversing switch base i It and threadh edly carries a nut.M6 which bears against the forward supporting bar 35 to provide for anadjustment of the tension of the spring ltd. The spring ltd is normallyoperative to engage the arm ltd with the rearward frame bar 35 as apositive stop and a positioning means for the assodd elated p wl ltd.

, In the presentinstance, the pawls I39 are each so shaped that theirrearward movements permit their swinging radially over the ratchet toothimmediately to the rear thereof to engage its point go behind saidtooth, whereby a return movement of the pawl may rotate the ratchet andits code wheel through the angle between adjacent teeth, This action ofa pawl results each time an electromagnet ldl is energized to displaceits armature from its normal position in which it is yieldingly held bythe spring I, and any adjustment of the engaged code wheel occurs afterthe depression of a key 36 and following the transmission andtermination of the coded impulse through the code wheel assembly toactuate a. key 36 of the typewriter 3|. While the friction of thecontact brushes 9| with the opposed code wheel contacts 88 may generallybe relied on to secure the code wheels against a backward rotation whena l5 pawl laa is pulled rearwardly under a ratchet of pawls m and I62.

wheel tooth which it contacts, it will be understood that an oppositelyacting pawl might be provided for thepurpose, such a pawl being re-'leasable when a code wheel is to be set in an initial cipheringposition.

The unit 96, it will now be noted by reference to Figures and 12 to 20inclusive, comprises a pair of opposed and transversely spaced similarplates I5I and I52 which are held in parallel relation by a fixed shaftmember I53 and spacing bars I54. Mutually aligned notches I55 areprovided in and across the bottom edges of the plates for fittedlyreceiving the two bottom clamp elements 83 therein, suitable spacingsleeves I58 being mounted on the elements between the plates I.5I andI52 and at the outer sides of the plates whereby a tightening of thethrust rings 85 of said clamp elements may releasably secure the unit 86in place without crushing it. When the unit 86 is' mounted in theposition-shown, the shaft I53 thereof is arranged to be in axialalignment with the shaft of the code wheel assembly as is shown inFigure 5.

The shaft I53 rotatably mounts two unitary assemblies I51. and I58 whichare arranged. to be independently rotated through small angles each timethe 'electromagnet 16 is energized by reason of the closing of theswitch GI and a switch 91- 98 when a key 38 is actuated. As is broughtout in the drawings, the assemblies I51 and I58 respectively includeratchet wheels I59 and I66 which are in the form of flat and centrallyperf forated discs, and are arranged for simultaneous one-wayrotative'adjustments through the actions As is shown in Figures .10 to13, the pawls I6I and I62 are provided at the forward ends of levers I63and I64 independently pivoted to the upper ends ofarms I65 and I66extending radially upwardly from the hub 69 which is rocked by theelectromagnet 16 each time the switch 6| is closed to energize theelectromagnet. Springs MI and I44 are respectively operative against thearms I65 and I66 and against the pawl levers I63 and I64, as in theirapplications to the levers I31 and the arms I36, whereby the pawls I6Iand I62 are arranged to operate against the teeth of the engaged ratchetwheels in the same manner as the pawls I39 operate against the ratchetteeth of the code wheels.

It will now bevnoted that the assembly I51 comprises a hub member I68which is rotatably mounted on the shaft- I53, has an intermediate radialflange I68, and carrie circular discs I69 and I16 fixed against oppositesides of its flange I68. A cylindrical member "I has an end engaging thedisc I16 'at its face opposite from the flange I69, and has the ratchetdisc I59 engaged against its other face. Bolt I13 engage through theratchet disc I59, the member "I,- the disc I16, the flange I68 and thedisc I69 for unitarily fixing the various elements together to tain theshanks of headed pins I in variable number and arrangement, the shankportions of the mounted pins being exposed between their heads and theopposed disc face, and the disc periphery is provided with fifty-twoequally spaced ratchet. teeth for operative engagement by the pawl I6I.The member "I bears indicia for the twenty-six letters of the Englishalphabet in order about its periphery and is provided with onetransverse notch I16 in said edge, preferably at the position of thecharacter Z. The

di cs I69 and I16 are of like size and are each provided with twenty-sixnotches I11 in their peripheral edges, said notches being relativelystaggered peripherally of 'the two discs, as is brought out in Figures12 and 20.

The assembly, I58 comprises a hub member I18 rotatably mounted on theshaft I58 and having an intermediate radial flange I19, and carries theratchet disc I68 against one side of the flange. A circular disc I86engages the other side of the flange I19 and is followed by a spacingring and a circular disc I82 in order. Screw bolts engage through thedisc I82, the spacing ring, the disc I86, the hub flange I19 and theratchet disc I66 for unitarily fixing the various members together toprovide the assembly I58. The periphery of the ratchet disc I68 isprovided .with flfty teeth for operative engagement with the pawl I62,and the periphery of the disc I82 is provided with a single notch I88.-The periphery of the 'disc I86 is provided with a succession of ninenotches I85 which are thirtysix degrees apart whereby the end notches ofthe line are seventy-two degrees apart in the peripheral circle, and thedisc I86 is so set with respect to the disc I62 that the center of its lIt will now be noted that the various disc members of the assemblie I51and I56 are of substantially the same diameter, and are arranged tovariably and independently control the conditions of six differentswitches HI and I92 and I93 and I94 and I95 and I96 through therespective actuationsthereof by members 2M and 262 and 263 and 264 and265 and 266 rockably mounted on a spacing bar I54 which is forward ofthe shaft I53. As shown, the six switches respectively comprise springcontact arms I9I to I96 inclusive mounted on the under side of a common.base member I91 of insulating material carried on a spacer bar I54 andnormally engageable with a common contact I98 which comprises a flatplate of conducting material mounted at the rear side of the base I91 inupright position and arranged for the engagement of the spring contactarms with its under edge to close the corresponding switches. Oppositethe ratchet disc I59, the common contact plate I98 is provided with adownwardly extending L-shaped extension I99 arranged for the engagementof the spring contact arm I9I' with the upwardly directed edge thereof.

The present switch-control members 26I to 266 inclusive each comprisebell-crank levers having upright arms providing points for respectivelyengaging the pins I15 on the ratchet disc I59, the notch I16 of thecylinder I1I, the notches of the disc I16 and I69, the notch I63 of thedisc I82, and the notches I 84 of the disc I86 as the engaged elementsare rotated. Generally horizontal arms of the said control members areengageable with the extremities of the different switch arms I9I' to I96inclusive for swinging the latter to open their circuits at the commoncontact plate I98, and tension springs asvasoo 201 are constantlyoperative against the coning point 20I of the member lies in the path ofmovement of the shanks of the pins I15 on the disc I59, the switch I9Ibeing held open except when a pin I15 engages the lever point 20I'. Whenthe rotary adjustment of the disc I59 engages the shank of a pin I15with the point 20I',

the latter is deflected outwardly with respect to the disc axis to rockthe member 20I to close the switch I9I at the extension I99 of themember I99 during that setting of the disc. Since the pins I75 may bemounted on the disc I59 in any number and arrangement. the times andfrequency of-closing of the switch I 9| in each rotative cycle of thedisc may be varied at will. The-sockets I19 may be numbered or otherwisedifferentiated whereby the pins may be placed therein in anypredetermined number and arrangement.

By reference to Figure 16, it will be noted that the switch I92 isarranged to be held open except while the point 202' of the member 202engages the notch I15 of the cylinder Hi, the latter occurring but oncein every fifty-two rotary adjustments of the cylinder. The twenty-sixnotches of the discs I10 and I69 are arranged to receive the points 203'and 204' of the members 203 and 200 respectively at every other settingof' the discs and alternately with respect to the discs whereby, as willbe evident from a consideration of Figures 14 and 15, the switches I99and I99 will be alternately closed and open for successive settings ofthe assembly I51.

Referring to the switch control assembly I58, it will be noted byreference to Figures 12 and 18 and 19 that the point 205' of the member205 engages the notch I85 of the disc I82 once in every completerotation of the assembly by the. pawl I 02 to then permit a closing ofthe switch I95. Also, the point 205' of the member 205 engages a notchI80 of the d sc I80 to close the switch I91 nine times in each rotationof the assembly I58. Since the ratchet disc I69 has two less teeth thanthe ratchet disc I59, the assembly I50 will be rotated at a faster ratethan the assembly I51 as the pawls IBI and I02 are rotated together bythe electromagnet 19. It will be understood that the switch ranged to beclosed in lieu of the switch I90 once in each revolution of the assemblyI58.

The assemblies I51 and I 58 may be frictionally and releasably retainedin successive set positions thereof as by the engagementofspring-pressed detent rollers 209' in the notches defined between theteeth of the ratchet discs I59 and I50. As shown, the rollers 209' arecarried at the ends of upright arms of bell-crank levers 209 similar tothe members 20I to 206 and mounted on the same frame bar I54 springs 2|being operative against the other lever arms to yieldingly urge aretention of the'respective rollers in the notches of the discs. It willbe noted that the separate driving of the ratchet discs I59 and I60 ofthe two assemblies permits independent and predetermined initialsettings of the assemblies I51 and I58 with reference to the mark 95 towhich the code wheels 80 are initially set.

The contact bar I98 for the switches I9I to 195 inclusive is connectedto the same battery I95 is arterminal I00 as the bar 98 by means of awire 2I5, and the switch arms I9I' to I94 inclusive are respectivelyconnected with plug-receiving sockets 2H and 2I2 and 2I3 and 2 which areprovided in a front casing member 2I1 of the control unit 86. As shown,the member 2" is fixed to the forward ends of the side plates I5I andI52, and a plate 2I8 overlies the top edges of the plates SI and I52 andextends rearwardly to the disc assembly of the unit 86 to cover theswitches and the control lever therefor.

The sockets 2| I to 2M are arranged to interchangeably receivesingle-contact connector plugs 9 carried at the extremities of flexibleconductors 22I which extend from a terminal of each of the solenoidsI9I" of the four different electromagnets I3I; it will be recalled thatthe armatures of these electromagnets are separately operative whenenergized for rotatively adjusting the different code wheels 00 byactuating the pawls I99 in the described manner.

much increases the secrecy of coding, it being noted that the connectionmay be left open for one or more of the electromagnets if desired tofurther vary the scheme of advancing the code wheels.

By .particular reference to Figure 28, it will now be noted that theother terminals of the electromagnets I3I are connected by a commonconductor 222 with a fixed contact of a normally open electromagneticswitch 229 which has its other switch contact comprising an armature223' connected with theterminal 52' of the switch BI by means of aconductor 225. In the present instance, the armature 223' of the switch223 is disposed to close the circuit which includes it against theresistance of a spring 220 and only when the arm-controlling solenoid223 is energized. One terminal of the electromagnet 16 which controlsthe switches I9I to I95 in the described manner is connected with theconductor 222 by means of a conductor wire 226, while the other terminalof said solenoid is connected to the battery terminal IOI through thebar I98 by a connecting wire 221. The arrangement is understood toprovide mutually parallel circuits for the electromagnets I5 and I3Ibetween the battery terminal I00 and the switch 223, all five circuitsbeing controlled jointly by the electromagnetic switch 223 and themechanically operated switch M which are in series with the otherbattery terminal IOI.- Since the switch 6| is also included in thecoding circuit, coding and code wheelshifting may only occur assuccessive oper-- ations following the closing of a character circuit bythe depression of a character key, and the switch BI thu constitutes amaster switch-and may be so referred to.

As is shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 28, the typewriter or printing machine3| is provided with a key 229 for depression to effect a return move-ment of the carriage and an advance movement of the print-receivingsheet at the end of a line of typing by means which are well known inthe typewriter art. The machine 3I may be a usual one arranged for thesolely hand oper- 'ation of its keys, but I prefer an electrictypewriter wherein a slight manual displacement of a key causes thecompleted actuation of th key by electrical-means, reference being made,by way of example, to an electrically operated typewriter known as theInternational; by the use of the latter class of typewriter, thecharacter circuits This interchangeable connection for theelectromagnets I3! very.

of the present cipher apparatus may directly supply enough power toactuate the keys of the typewriter.

Individual electromagnets 23I of similar structure are provided forselectively effecting depressions of the various keys 39' and 31" and49' and 229 of the typewriter 3| when their circuits are energized. Inthe present instance, the various keys are carried at the forward endsof similar keybars 230, and movable armatures or cores 232 of theelectromagnets 238 are suitably connected with the keybars fordepressing them to cause the printing of characters when the solenoidsof the electromagnets are energized. As shown in Figures 2 and 3,armatures 232 which normally extend upwardly from the bores of thesolenoids for movement into the cores when the solenoids are energizedcarry hooks 234, which engage over the keybars' 230 to normally supportthe armatures 232 in raised position in their solenoids. An alternativearrangement would be one in which a push rod 234" depends from anarmature 232 which is engaged in a solenoid 233which is supported abovea key to be depressed for printing, this arrangement being indicated inFigure 4. In either event the various solenoids 233 would preferably beprovided as a unitary set thereof for fixed mounting on the typewriter3|; in Figure 1, the solenoids 233 are shown as mounted on a common baseplate 235 which is in turn secured beneath the typewriter 3 I Byreference to Figures 1 and 28, it will be noted that the various controlcircuit wires to and from the typewriter 3I are grouped and carriedtogether in a common conduit 231' and terminate at a multiple connectorhead 238 for detachable connection with corresponding terminals 239 ofthe solenoids 233 by which the various'character keys of the unit 3I arecontrolled. The output wires III. of the reversing switches I04 arecontinued through the connector-238 to terminals of differentcharacter-printing solenoids 233, the other terminals of the samesolenoids are connected by a common return wire 24I to one terminal ofthe solenoid 233" of the electromagnetic switch 223, and the otherterminal of the latter solenoid is connected to the wire 225.

With the described connections, the closing of the switch 223 to actuatethe wheel control unit 86 is arranged to be efiected only when theswitch 6| has been closed by the depression of a character key at thekeyboard of the cipher machine 30 to simultaneously close a charactercircuit. It will be understood that the mechanical closing of anycharacter circuit through the code wheel assembly 11 and thesimultaneous mechanical closing of the switch 6| causes the energizingof a character circuit in accordance with the key which is actuated tooperate an appropriate key ofthe typewriter while the pawls IBI and IE2are being moved to operative positions with respect to the ratchetwheels I59 and I60 respectively of the unit 96 by the action of theenergized solenoid I6. Also, a solenoid I3I' connected bya wire 22I with-any one of the switch arms I9I to I94 which engages the contact I98will be energized to similarly shift its pawl I39 with respect to theratchet of the code wheel 80 which it controls; in the present instance,solenoid circuits are normally closed alternately at the contacts I93and The carriage return circuit, which has no control key at the ciphermachine keyboard in the present instance, include in order the wire 2I5,the common contact I98, the switch arm I95, a wire 244 leading throughthe connector 233 to the solenoid 2 33r which controls the key 229, anda wire 245 from the other solenoid terminal to the wire 243 to completethe circuit to the battery E. Since the disc I82 is disposed to closethe carriage return circuit only after each fifty char .acter impulseshave acted to print characters in coding, the arrangement is understoodto operate only at the end of each line of printing to dispose thetypewriter carriage and the Paper thereon for receiving a succeedingline of printing.

Recalling that a typewriter carriage automatically shifts for the spaceof one character following the printing of a character, and that thenotches I85 of the disc I80 are operative after each five characterimpulses, except when the carriage shift circuit is energized, totemporarily engage the spring. contact I96 with the contact I98 toclosethe spacing circuit thereat, the present device is operative to effectan extra space shift of the typewriter carriage, provided the circuitfor the solenoid 233-3 which is operative to actuate the spacing key 40'is otherwise closed. In this manner, the characters of a coded messagemay be printed in groups of five in their line, this facilitatingdecoding since an operator may readily remember a succession of fivecode characters and keep his place in the copy while he is operating thecipher machine for decoding the typed coded message. It will beunderstood that the omission of a notch I85 from the disc I80 in theaxial line of the notch I84 of the disc I82 provides for the carriagereturn action in lieu of an extra space shift at this point in theoperative cycle of the two discs.

By reference to Figure 28 wherein the reversin switch element IIIi is incoding position, it will minal of the solenoid 233--s which is arrangedfor energizing to actuate the spacing key 40' of the typewriter 3I, andthe other terminal of the solenoid 233-s is connected by a wire 25I withthe wire 243 leading to the battery terminal IIII. It will be understoodthat the arrangement is such'that no control of the spacing key 40 isprovided at the cipher machine keyboard during coding, and that thedescribed group spacing of the printed characters is provided only whenthe I94 whereby the solenoids connected with said switch 241 is closed.The switch 241 is shown in Figure l as mounted on the top wall I25 ofthe casing I23 for its ready accessibility to the operator.

' It will now be particularly noted that the wire 243 provides a commonconnection from the solenoids 233u and 233-s and 233-r directly to thebattery terminal IBI whereby the energizing of one or more of thesesolenoids may follow the de-energizing of the solenoids 233--c whichcontrol the character keys 36' of the typewriter. This provides for anoperative cycle wherein any shift or spacing or carriage returnoperations are arranged to occur after a character has been printed andthe character circuit has been automatically reopened at the switch 6|in the described manner, it being recalled that the code wheels 80 andthe switch control assemblies I51 and I58 of the control unit 88 aremechanically actuated by the return movements of the freed andpreviously advanced pawls I39 and ISI and IE2 respectively.

In printing a coded message with the present apparatus, a character isprinted whenever a space occurs in the original message, and means areprovided for utilizing one of the keyboard characters for the purpose.The character chosen would preferably, though not necessarily, be onewhich occurs less often in written matter; in the present instance theletter Z has been chosen to represent a space in the original message.Accordingly, and as shown in Figure 28, the contact 91 for the space key40 is connected by a wire 252 to the wire I03 from the contact 51 forthe Z key, and the connection between the reversing switch contacts I06of the reversing switch I04 which has the wire I08 connected thereto isomitted. A wire 253 connects the wire I03 which leads from the switchcontact I06 for engaging the input terminal I05 of the Z switch duringcoding with the switch arm I30 on the plate 33, and a wire 254 connectsthe contact I28 on the member Ht with the wire 249 from the contact I 21at the other end of the member.

Having the switch I28I3Il open during coding, the letter Z is arrangadto be coded through the code wheel assembly It in the same manner as anyother keyboard character to cause ,a. printing or the coded character ofthe letter Z whether the Z key or the spacing key 40 is depressed. If,however, the member I It is shifted to decode position, the switchI28-I30 is closed, theswitch Iii-429 is opened, the Z input terminal I05engages a reverse contact I09, and the corresponding output terminal H2engages the unconnected reversing terminal I06 whereby no connection isprovided for the wire III from the terminal II 2. Under the latterconditions, if a key 36 for a code character which is the code for Zor aspace is depressed, a closed circuit is created to include a wire I I19,the code wheel assembly I1, the wire I08 which leads to the Z contactI06, the wire 253 to the switch contact I30 which engages the contactI28, the wire 25d; and the wire 249 to the solenoid 233--s of theprinting machine. In this manner, a space is provided in the decoded andprinted message whenever a space or the letter Z occurred in theoriginal message, it being important to note that the present device hascoded I spaces with the same coding complexity as the characters of thekeyboard.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the advantages of the cipher mechanism ofmyinvention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art towhich the invention appertains. While I have described the principles ofoperation, together with devices which Inow consider to be preferredembodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that the showing isprimarily illustrative, and that such changes may be made, when desired,as fall within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a cipher machine, an electric keyboard comprising a plurality ofkeys, a coding circuit providing in part a set of mutually parallelbranch circuits having one branch circuit for each key, normally openswitches interposed in the different branch circuits and selectivelyclosable by said keys, a normally open .master switch interposed in anunbranched circuit part and closable by any of said keys, a normallyopen electromagnetic switch having its solenoid interposed in theunbranched circuit part, an electromagnet operative to eflect an openingof the master switch, and a secondary circuit including theelectromagnet and the switch of the electromagnetic switch whereby theclosing of the coding circuit is operative to open the master switchtherein after a coding operation i completed.

2. In cryptographic apparatus, a plurality of keys for selectiveactuation, means providing an electric circuit including in part a setof mutually parallel branch circuits, individual switches interposed inthe different branch circuits and closable by said keys, anelectromagnetic printing mechanism operative in each branch circuit, arotatively adjustable code-changing wheel providing closed portions ofall of the branch circuits between the switches and printing mechanismfor .tromagnet when the circuit is closed by the actuation of said key.

3. In a code changing means for a cryptographic machine, a memberproviding two interconnected like sets of electrical contacts which arealigned and equally spaced in their sets in graphic machine, a memberproviding two intercircles having their centers in a common line, asecond member providing two sets of contacts complementary to andnormally engaging the contacts of the difierent sets of the firstmember, means mounting the members for their relative rotativeadjustment about said line, and means operative to efiect successiverotative adjustments of one member with respect to the other throughhalf the angular spacing of successive contacts, the contact of themutually engaged pairs of contact sets being so related that eachactuation of the adjustment means is arranged to change the connectionsof the contacts of but one said pair of sets.

4. In a code changing means for a cryptoconnected like sets ofelectrical contacts which are aligned and equally spaced in their setsin circles having their centers in a common line, a second memberproviding two sets of brushes complementary to and normally engaging thecontacts of the diiferent sets of the first member, means mounting themembers for their relative rotative adjustment about said line, andmeans operative to effect successive rotative adjustments of one memberwith respect to the other through their respective lines that theyextend for no less than half their center-to-center spacin therein, asecond member providing two sets of brushes complementary to andnormally engaging the contacts of the difierent sets of the firstmember,-- means mounting the members for their relative rotativeadjustment about said line, and means operative to effect successiverotative adjustments of one member with respect to the other throughhalf the angular center-to-center spacing of successive contacts, thesaid contact sets being so related to said brushes that an actuation ofthe adjustment mean is arranged to maintain the engagement of one set ofbrushes with the same contacts of one contact set while effecting thecontact of the other set of brushes netic printing mechanism operativein each said branch circuit, a plurality of mutually adjustable codewheels interposed between the switches and the printing mechanism forjointly providing variable closed portions of all of said circuits,individual electromagnets operative when energized to adjust the settingof said code wheels, individual and normally open control switches forthe circuits of said electromagnets, a normally open master switchinterposed in an unbranched circuit part and closable by any of saidkeys, 9. normally open electromagnetic switch having its solenoidinterposed in the unbranched circuit part, and an electromagnetcontrolled by the electromagnetic switch having its solenoid interposedin another branch circuit part and havin its armature dipslaceable in aworkin stroke to open said master switch and thereafter effect aselective closing of one or more of said control switches for thewheel-adjusting electromagnets of the code wheels.

' EDWARD H. HEBERN.

